Reading Correspondence: “A Concerned Listener”

Read the following letter.
Dear Radio Programmer:
I have been a loyal listener for the past decade. I have really enjoyed your programming. It has brought so much pleasure every single day to my otherwise extremely long, drab workday, and I thank you for that. I cannot fathom a day going by without one of your shows to pick me up. Well, enough of the intro. I should cut to the chase so you understand the point of my letter.
It’s precisely that I enjoy your station so much that I want to bring up my concern to you. I was listening to your station as usual the other day, when I heard something that bothered me. One of your radio hosts mentioned something about CXRZ going off the air. Not only that, he then said that he would never work in radio again. I was so upset to have him say that. My favourite radio station was going off the air forever. I was stupefied, flabbergasted, you name it. Imagine the even bigger shock when CXRZ continued broadcasting, with the same host on air again the next day. Was that some kind of bad joke? If so, it wasn’t very funny. It wasn’t even April Fools. I won’t name names, but the radio host I’m referring to has been a regular for at least as long as I’ve been a loyal listener.
Now, please understand that the only reason I was so upset, and I think I still am, is because CXRZ means so much to me. It’s the only radio station worth listening to nowadays. Your 24-hour talk show format is brilliant. There’s always an interesting topic or two that give listeners some food for thought. We need more of that nowadays. Just last week you folks were covering some issue that was happening in the Maritimes. Something about the inhumanity of lobster traps I think. Or maybe it was about the way they’re cooked. Anyway, I won’t be eating lobster again anytime soon, rest assured. That’s how much I’m affected by your shows. I don’t know what I’d do if you ever went off the air. There would be nothing decent left to listen to on the radio.
I don’t know what you plan on doing with my e-mail, but I would really just like to say that I didn’t find that host’s comment very funny. At the same time, I’m glad you’re still broadcasting.
Your faithful listener,
Jeanette Braun
Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the above letter.
1. Jeanette Braun has been following this radio station for _____.
a. decades.
b. a couple of years.
c. a long time.
d. just a few years.
2. Ms. Braun is _____.
a. a homemaker.
b. a full-time university student.
c. a radio programmer.
d. a full-time worker.
3. Ms. Braun is bringing up her concern because _____.
a. she is so precise.
b. she bothered something.
c. she is writing this letter.
d. she enjoys the station so much.
4. According to Ms Braun, one of the radio hosts said _____.
a. something that upset her.
b. that CXRZ would go on the air.
c. that he would be back the next day.
d. something very funny.
5. Ms. Braun does not want to _____.
a. listen to the radio station anymore.
b. say which radio host made the comment.
c. be shocked so much.
d. hear any jokes.
6. The radio host has been _____.
a. a listener.
b. referred by Ms. Braun.
c. at the station for a long time.
d. shocking many listeners with his bad jokes.
7. CXRZ means _____.
a. a lot to a listener.
b. a radio station.
c. a 24-hour talk show radio station.
d. a 24-hour talk show format.
8. By the end of her letter, Ms. Braun _____.
a. is very satisfied with everything.
b. is apologetic.
c. is completely glad.
d. has mixed feelings.
Read the response to the above letter. Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the above letter when necessary.
To: Ms. Jeanette Braun
From: Derrick Banner, Programming Director, CXRZ 100.5 FM
Dear Ms. Braun:
Thank you for your letter. We appreciate getting such correspondence from our audience. It is nice to know that we have such (9. unhappy / loyal / female / worried) listeners out there. It’s what makes our programming all worth it.
I spoke to the host in question, Miles Palomino, and I asked him about the (10. comment / letters / listeners / truth). He remembered that moment, and told me that what he had said was that “If CXRZ ever went off the air, I would never work in radio again.” He was merely stating his own loyalty to the station. We reassure you that Miles is staying, and so is our (11. host / radio / station / listener). Indeed, the message you received would be very upsetting to a loyal listener such as yourself.
I trust that my explanation clears up this issue that has been concerning you. I also hope that we can continue to provide the excellent programming that you have come to expect from CXRZ, and that we may be fortunate enough to have you continue to enjoy our station on a regular (12. day / time / basis / situation).
Kindest regards,
Derrick Banner

Reading to Apply a Diagram: “New Office Computers”

Read the e-mail about the diagram. Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the diagram when necessary.
Subject: New Office Computers
To: Jim Woodman
From: Paul Ward
Hi Jim: I have been looking over some new computers for our office, and I’ve (1. give / made / attached / put) some ideas for you to look over. I did my best to narrow down the choices, to make things easier once we’re ready to decide.
Basically, we need to make a balance between (2. features / portable / characters / computers) and price. As you can see, there’s quite a range of prices. If we go with the (3. lower / cheap / expensive / mid-priced) model, we’ll have some degree of portability, although I don’t imagine the office staff will be wanting to take it home on a regular basis due to the (4. portability / large hard drive / kilograms / weight). The price on that one is quite reasonable. On the other hand, if we decide to go for the (5. computers / desktops / laptops / mini-desktops), then we could have an (6. problem / issue / option / policy) with staff taking them home too frequently, as those are the most portable. I’m actually kind of (7. leaving / learning / leaning / running) away from that option, now that I (8. consider / concern / think / worry) about it.
I will leave these ideas with you for now. Thanks Jim, and let me know your thoughts whenever you have a moment. After that, we’ll make a final decision together.
Regards,
Paul
Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the diagram and to the e-mail when necessary.
9. Paul _____.
a. has decided which computer to buy.
b. wants some input.
c. has an e-mail from Jim.
d. needs Jim’s answer immediately.
10. Paul and Jim _____.
a. work for each other.
b. will each have a say in the selection process.
c. have bought some new computers.
d. have put some ideas together regarding a computer purchase.
11. Paul is worried that _____.
a. some computers are too expensive.
b. the staff will take the desktop computers home.
c. one kind of computer would be taken home too often.
d. one model will have some degree of portability.
12. Paul is _____.
a. happy that Jim gave his thoughts on the computers.
b. losing interest in one of the choices.
c. leaving the ideas with Jim until Jim decides which computers they will buy.
d. going to ask Jim to make a buying decision for both of them.

Reading for Information: “Quebec City”

Read the following passage.

Canada consists of so many beautiful and interesting places that are definitely worth visiting. One such place is Quebec City, the capital of Quebec. It was settled by the French in the 1500s, making it Canada’s oldest city. It is located in the province of Quebec, which is situated in Eastern Canada. Quebec City is the province of Quebec’s second-largest city, after Montreal. While Montreal is a more cosmopolitan city, Quebec has a more old-world flavour and charm that distinguishes it from other North American cities. It is, in fact, one of the top travel destinations in North America.

The original city was a walled fortress, designed to protect it from being attacked. However, now it sprawls well beyond its original borders. Central Quebec City is now punctuated by Chateau Frontenac, a majestic old hotel that sits atop an embankment overlooking the St. Lawrence River. The hotel is easily recognizable by its fortress-like architecture, and its distinctive green roof. The hotel is famous not only in Canada, but around the world. It appears in travel brochures, postcards, and tourism videos. Although it is over one hundred years old, Chateau Frontenac remains a relevant, popular tourist attraction in the city of Quebec.

Below the hotel sits Lower Town, the remaining old part of Quebec City. Here, you can find narrow streets lined with charming old buildings that date back centuries. The European influence of the architecture in Lower Town is apparent. Thousands of tourists come here from around the world to wander around Lower Town, strolling past sidewalk cafes and artists who display their art for sale. Tourists take pictures of the wonderful cobblestone streets and stone buildings, reminiscent perhaps more of Old Europe and appearing like nothing North American. Those who love shopping can get their fill with the dozens of clothing boutiques and souvenir shops that contain something for everyone.

Centuries after being settled as a French colony, Quebec City retains its French flavour, both culturally and linguistically. As Quebec is a predominantly French-speaking city, it is much more common to encounter a conversation in French than in English. As such, if you are planning to visit this wonderful city, it is in your best interest to learn a few phrases in French before you go. For example, being able to say “Hello”, “Excuse me”, “How much is this?”, and “Thank you” will go a long way in helping you to communicate successfully with the locals.

(Not mentioned)

Decide which paragraph (A, B, C, or D) contains the information in each of the following statements. If the information is not discussed in any of the paragraphs, choose “E”.

The original settlement was bigger than the present-day city.

A B C D E

French is important in Quebec.

A B C D E

Something in Quebec is well known.

A B C D E

One thing is wonderful.

A B C D E

The city was settled in France.

A B C D E

Something might remind us of another place.

A B C D E

People should do something.

A B C D E

The hotel sits below something.

A B C D E

A body of water is mentioned.

A B C D E

Some people show something.

A B C D E

Something is located in a high place.

A B C D E

A certain coloured item stands out.

A B C D E
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Reading for Viewpoints: “Climate Change: Real or Not?”

Read the following passage.
Climate change has been a hot topic for the past decade. The topic of climate change can be a confusing one at best. Opinions abound as to the mere existence of climate change. One person has one view, while someone else has quite the opposite view. Not only laymen, but even scientists argue whether or not climate change is a real issue. It is not surprising that this controversy leads to confusion and even more questions. The rift between believers and non-believers seems to be growing, with each side adamant about their respective views.
The believers hold that mankind’s activities contribute to a phenomenon known as climate change. Pollution that we create is believed to alter the temperature of the oceans, which leads to rising sea levels and temperature changes. Supporters of the climate change theory also claim that, by changing our daily habits, we can minimize our environmental footprint, which will decrease, and maybe even reverse, climate change. Such changes to our habits include recycling more conscientiously, walking or cycling instead of driving, and patronizing businesses that support green efforts.
Conversely, the non-believers argue that changes to the planet’s climatic characteristics occur naturally every several millennia. They claim that such patterns were in existence long before we ever walked the earth. Therefore, such changes would occur whether or not human beings existed. Non-believers cite past cycles, based on scientific evidence, to support the claim that such change is natural, and basically out of our control. As a result of non-believers refusing to accept that humans are responsible for climate change, people may argue that non-believers do not care about the environment. However, there is no known correlation between a person’s view on the existence of climate change, and how much they care about the environment.
Debate continues to rage among believers and non-believers as to whether it is indeed the case that such change happens naturally, or that the human race somehow factors in. Clearly, there are disparate views on the topic of climate change. It may be impossible to get everyone to agree on whether climate change is a fact or not. One thing is certain, though. Without a doubt, we as humans should care about and care for the planet. After all, we have the intelligence, the resources, and the ability to preserve our natural environment. It is our duty and responsibility to save the planet for future generations. Therefore, rather than continuously arguing over whether climate change is real or not, each of us should focus on finding ways to make a positive contribution to the environment.
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Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the passage when necessary.

1. The writer _____.

a. establishes that climate change is real.

b. presents two arguments.

c. argues for the existence of climate change.

d. is not surprised by climate change.

2. According to the writer, _____.

a. both sides are starting to see eye to eye.

b. both sides agree more than they disagree.

c. agreement is growing between believers and non-believers.

d. each side maintains their position.

3. According to the believers, rising sea levels _____.

a. lead to the temperature of the oceans.

b. alter the temperature of the oceans.

c. are altered by the temperature of the oceans.

d. are the result of changing ocean temperatures.

4. According to the believers, the environmental footprint _____.

a. can minimize.

b. will decrease.

c. can be reduced.

d. will change our daily habits.

5. The believers feel that we should support the companies that _____.

a. care about protecting the environment.

b. can afford to be green.

c. support walking or cycling.

d. are known as “patronizing businesses”.

6. The non-believers hold the opinion that _____.

a. climate change is not natural.

b. we should argue about climate change being natural.

c. climate change happens every few thousand years.

d. changes to the climate’s characteristics happen for several millennia.

7. The writer feels that views on the topic of climate change _____.

a. vary.

b. disappear.

c. are the same.

d. are desperate.

8. In the writer’s opinion, _____.

a. it is better to stop arguing and agree that climate change is real.

b. it is better to stop arguing and focus on climate change.

c. it is better to stop arguing and take individual responsibility for the environment.

d. instead of finding ways to help the environment, we should continuously argue.

Read someone’s comment about the above passage. Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the above passage when necessary.
I enjoyed reading your article on the controversy surrounding climate change. (9. Fortunately / Personally / Especially / On the other hand), I’m confused by the whole debate, so I’ve chosen to be proactive about the whole issue. Whether or not humans are to blame for climate change, I’m not taking any (10. steps / chances / opportunities / blame) with our fragile planet. I’ve sold my car, and now I get around town (11. on foot / by plane / for a walk / by pedestrian) or by bike. I’ve also pledged to conserve electricity at home as much as possible. My electric and heating bills have plummeted as a result. I challenge everyone else who (12. agree with / read / believe / like) the above article to make their own contribution to saving the planet!

Reading Correspondence: “Our New Place in Costa Rica”

Read the following letter.
Hello Juan:
How are you doing? All’s well in St. John’s. I have some exciting news to tell you! Do you remember that real estate opportunity I was telling you about in Costa Rica? Well, I have decided to take the plunge! May and I will be buying a house somewhere along the Pacific Ocean side. Sounds great, right?
On our last trip there, sometime in November, we found a realtor, with the same first name as you by the way, who had some excellent leads for us. Not only that, his English is much better than our Spanish, so that helped! We told him that we were looking for a smaller, cheaper bungalow, not too far from the beach, but also that it didn’t necessarily need to be beachfront (which would have driven the price right up). So he found a few listings that were within a few kilometres of the beach, but that were also within our very limited budget. We checked out three places on the first day. Unfortunately, the jet lag hit me hard after seeing the third place, so we decided to call it a day. By the way, none of the first three houses really caught our eye.
The next day, we continued our search. Juan showed us another three houses. After considering all six, May and I decided to put in an offer for the fifth one that we had seen. The offer was not accepted, but the owner countered, and by the end of the day we had a place to call our second home. It’s a bigger and more expensive bungalow than what we had actually hoped for. It’s just over 1,000 square feet. It has two bedrooms at the front of the house. Then at the back of the house, there’s another smaller bedroom. The really nice thing about the property is that it’s pretty big, and there’s actually a small guest house included, with another two bedrooms. There are also two bathrooms in the main house, and one in the guest house. And of course there’s a kitchen (but none in the guest house, so the guests would have to borrow the cooking facilities in the main house), and each house has a living room as well.
The reason I keep mentioning the guest house is that May and I would love to see you and Carla there. How far is Costa Rica from Mexico anyway? Well, I will let you know when we’re ready to move in, which should be soon, and then maybe we can plan for you to visit.
Take care Juan,
Stephen
Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the above letter.

Stephen is writing this letter to_____.

his friend.

his realtor.

his wife.

his real estate agency.

Stephen lives _____.

in Costa Rica.

in Mexico.

in St. John’s.

along the Pacific Ocean.

Stephen and May were hoping for _____.

a smaller beachfront bungalow.

a smaller, cheaper bungalow.

a pretty big property with a guest house.

a main house with three bedrooms and two baths.

The house that Stephen and May decided on was _____.

the second one they had seen.

the third one they had seen.

the fifth one they had seen.

the sixth one they had seen.

The property has _____.

two bedrooms.

three bedrooms.

four bedrooms.

five bedrooms.

On the property, there is only one _____.

building.

house.

kitchen.

living room.

Stephen mentions the guest house multiple times because _____.

he has invited Juan to stay there.

he loves to see Juan and Carla there.

he needs to plan for Juan and Carla to visit there.

he wants Juan and Carla to visit there.

Read the response to the above letter. Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the above letter when necessary.
Hi Stephen:
Thanks for the great news! I (8. know / knew / heard / wish) that you and May would finally buy (9. a houses / big homes / something / small homes) over there. When do you (10. plan / think / anticipate / guys) on moving in there? Carla and I would love to see you and May there (11. once / if / by the time / afterward) you’ve settled in.
By the way, Mexico’s not all that (12. close to / close from / far as / far from) Costa Rica. I think it’s only an hour or so by plane.
Talk to you again soon,
Juan
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Reading to Apply a Diagram: “A Special Birthday Present”

Read the e-mail about the diagram. Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the diagram when necessary.
Subject: Birthday Present Ideas for Jennifer
To: Marisa (mpatrick@notmail.com)
From: Samantha
Hi Marisa:
Thanks for offering to help pick out a pet for Jennifer’s 10th birthday. Sometimes I think an (1. relative / friend / sister / aunt) is better at picking out a birthday present than a mother.
So I’ve attached some ideas for us to think over. I have three ideas that I think I should be able to (2. afford / care / get / adapt). I just don’t know which of the (3. animal / choice / three / idea) Jennifer would be happiest with though.
If I get her a (4. pet / cat / bird / rabbit), Jennifer might end up getting (5. excited / bored / used / along) with it if it just sits in its cage staring at her, swinging back and forth and possibly chirping. A rabbit or a (6. pet / cat / bird / dogs) would be more playful and interactive for Jennifer, don’t you think? Especially a cat. The thing I like about a bird though, is that I don’t have to worry about it (7. cleaning / disturbing / running / messing) up the house while I’m out. I guess I could also keep the rabbit in some (8. sort / kinds / part / place) of cage.
I’ll phone you later tonight to talk more about this.
Bye for now,
Samantha
Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the diagram and to the e-mail when necessary.

Jennifer’s birthday is _____.

going to be a pet.

going to get a pet.

coming up.

going to be a surprise party.

Samantha feels that _____.

she may be the best at selecting something.

she wants to select something alone.

a cat should be in a cage.

her sister can help her with something.

Marisa and Samantha will _____.

choose a rabbit.

discuss this topic further.

get a pet for Jennifer.

get a cage for the pet.

Samantha provides a clear advantage and disadvantage of having _____.

many pets.

a cat.

a bird.

a rabbit.

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Reading for Information: “The Chinook Wind”

Read the following passage.
A. Around the world, there are various weather phenomena, each with their own special names. There is the haboob in desert areas, the foehn in Europe, and the typhoon in Japan. In Canada, one kind of wind is called a “Chinook”. A Chinook wind is a warm wind that blows over the Rocky Mountains. Chinook winds occur in southern Alberta, mostly in winter. While winters in that part of the country can be quite cold, a Chinook can bring relief in terms of milder temperatures.
B. A Chinook wind originates over the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of British Columbia. Basically, it starts as a warm, wet wind that blows from west to east off the coast of B.C. The wind approaches the mainland in the southeast part of the province. It then travels inland over southern B.C. for several hundred kilometers. Because it originates over the ocean, the wind carries a lot of moisture with it. The wind blows towards the Rockies, and it slows down as it blows against the mountains. As it slows down and moves upwards against the west side of the Rockies, the wind cools down.
C. At the same time, the wind continues to blow from behind. That causes the rising, cooling wind in front to continue blowing eastward, over the tops of the Rockies. When this happens, the cool wind in front rolls down the east side of the Rockies. As it picks up speed, it warms up and rushes across southern Alberta. Cities in the path of Chinook winds include Calgary, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat. Interestingly, the phenomenon of Chinook winds is limited to quite a small area of Canada. Those who live in that part of the country know when a Chinook event is happening by the distinct cloud pattern in the sky.
D. Chinook winds can cause temperatures to rise by 30 or 40 degrees in a matter of hours, melting snow and ice. It is not uncommon for southern Albertans to go to bed when the outside temperature is -20 degrees, and to wake up the next morning to a balmy 10 degrees. That is how much the temperatures can fluctuate during a Chinook. Unfortunately, many people also experience migraine headaches, which are thought to be brought on by a sudden change in air pressure that the Chinook wind brings with it. All in all though, most southern Albertans are probably grateful for the respite that Chinooks offer from the cold winter temperatures.
E. (not mentioned)
Decide which paragraph (A, B, C, or D) contains the information in each of the following statements. If the information is not discussed in any of the paragraphs, choose “E”.

The wind increases in speed on the east side of the mountains.

A B C D E

The wind originates in the west.

A B C D E

The wind can increase temperatures drastically.

A B C D E

Some people go to the doctor during a Chinook.

A B C D E

The wind starts over a body of water.

A B C D E

Examples of locations outside Canada are given.

A B C D E

The wind increases in temperature.

A B C D E

Headaches cause a change in air pressure.

A B C D E

Chinook winds generally occur in one season.

A B C D E

Something is pushed.

A B C D E

There is a downside to the Chinook wind.

A B C D E

The wind moves across the first of two provinces.

A B C D E
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Reading for Viewpoints: “Adapting to a New Country”

Read the following passage.
Moving to a new country is never easy. I should know. I learned first-hand how challenging it can be to arrive in an unfamiliar place, not knowing much about the people, the language, the weather, and the way things work. There were things I went through that would make me the person that I am today.
The experience of leaving my homeland was in itself emotional; I had never been abroad before. That was about 14 years ago. I arrived in Canada with my parents, my brother, and my sister. At the time, none of us spoke much English, so we had a variety of language issues right from the start. I was put into Grade 10, and although I understood most of what was being said, I really couldn’t respond. So I probably came across as less than friendly, although I was desperate to make friends in my new country. I remember having to stand up in front of the class while my classmates bombarded me with questions. “Where are you from?”; “When’s your birthday?”; “What kind of music do you like?”; “Do you guys speak English in your country?” It was agonizing, being able to understand the questions, yet not being able to answer with any fluency. Well, luckily, the teacher asked everyone to slow down, and to give me a chance to respond. I think I gave one-word answers for every single question, with the exception of “When’s your birthday?”, to which I gave a one-word and a one-number response.
Although it was quite a painful experience, it also gave me the incentive to pick up the language as fast as possible. I started watching English TV for about an hour every day; I listened to the radio every night before bed, and I read as much English as I could lay my hands on. But the most significant thing I did was to embrace my opportunity to immerse myself in the culture; I made friends with several of my classmates, and I greeted and chatted with my neighbours on a daily basis. Within only a few months, my spoken English had really improved. I was no longer tongue-tied when I conversed with Canadians. Looking back, I have learned that a lot of challenges can be overcome by having a positive outlook. For anyone thinking about immigrating to another country, I would definitely recommend staying positive, and doing your best to embrace your new opportunity.
Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the passage when necessary.

The writer _____.

never moved to a new country easily.

moved to a new country not knowing it would be easy.

never found it easy to move to new countries.

found some difficulties adjusting to a new country.

According to the writer, _____.

unfamiliar places can be learned first-hand.

there is a challenge to a specific situation.

arriving first-hand can be a challenge.

it can be a challenge to know a lot about something.

The writer arrived from abroad _____.

knowing little about the new country.

with no knowledge of the new country.

not knowing anything about the new country.

knowing a lot about the new country.

Shortly after their arrival, the family _____.

issued a variety of languages.

started with a variety of languages.

had some problems.

issued some language problems.

In Grade 10, the writer wanted to _____.

come across more than friendly.

be desperate.

understand what was being said.

meet new people.

The writer’s classmates _____.

were curious.

answered many questions.

stood up in front of the class.

were already friends with the writer.

The writer used a negative experience _____.

to improve.

to give an incentive.

to feel pain.

to watch TV.

In the writer’s opinion, the most important thing he did was to _____.

watch TV.

listen to the radio.

try to adapt to the society.

improve his spoken English.

Read someone’s comment about the above passage. Answer the questions by choosing the best word or phrase to complete the sentence, referring to the above passage when necessary.
I can totally relate to what you went through. I came here as a teenager from Eastern Europe. It was (9. pleasant / painful / precious / possible) for me to go to school every day, because I didn’t know a word of English. Everyone just looked at me at first, (10. expecting / allowing / hoping / considering) me to be able to speak English. It was pretty awkward. I just smiled back at everyone…at least I was able to (11. speak / smile / solve / answer). I made friends pretty fast, and after hanging out with them for a few (12. minutes / months / years / decades), I caught on to the language pretty fast.
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